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  • Colonel
    Since Apple switched to using PowerPC processors they've been using ATI graphics cards. Even after Apple started the Intel transition, they still continue to make Macs with ATI cards, but that may change because of AMD's recent purchase of ATI. Because of the AMD's purchase, Intel will slowly stop supporting ATI.
     
    Here's the article from ZDNet:
    AMD yesterday announced that they plan to acquire Canadian video chip maker ATI for US$5.4 billion. The deal needs to be approved by stockholders and regulatory agencies. Arch-rival Intel announced that they won't be renewing ATI's chipset bus license as a result of the deal.
     
    The move leaves Apple in a bit of a quandary because ATI video subsystems currently power two of Apple's Intel-based Macs: the MacBook Pro and the iMac both ship with ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 GPUs. The Mac mini and MacBook use Intel GMA950 graphics.
     
    ATI chips shipped in most Macs prior to the PowerMac G4 announced in 2001. Apple's move to chips from Santa Clara-based NVIDIA was believed by some to be punishment for an ATI leak in July 2000 that pre-announced new iMacs and Power Macs.
     
    Apple's aging PowerMac G5 ships with NVIDIA graphics (GeForce 6600, 7800 GT or Quadro FX 4500) but the graphics chip supplier for the new "Mac Pro" desktop is rumored to switch to back ATI. The Mac Pro, which could be announced as soon as 06 August at WWDC, is rumored to ship with ATI Radeon X1600 Pro and X1800 Pro graphics.
     
    Will Intel allow Apple to continue to working with ATI on graphics after the company becomes wholly owned by rival AMD? I think that we'll probably see Intel gently "suggest" that Apple switch to another vendor for graphics technology in 2007. Once the dust settles I bet that all Macs from here on out will ship with graphics from either Intel or NVIDIA.
     
    So what does this mean for Apple? Will they be forced to go with nVidia cards and if they are, how will this affect the Macvidia project?
     
     
    *************************************************************************
    This is my first article for InsanelyMac. Please let me know what you think. Thanks
  • Swad

    Do you Guru?

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    We're looking for the few, the proud... the Gurus among us.
     
    This week we're launching a brand new (and as far as I'm aware, unique) idea for creating discussion and assistance within our community. It's called the "Guru Project." Here's what it entails:
     
    Nominations will be taken for outstanding members of our community. These are folks that you love to see posts from - the ones that are kind, helpful, and just fun to be around in general.
     
    What sets these people apart is that they're passionate about something. Maybe it's Photography. Web Design. OSx86. If we've got an area of this forum dedicated to it, we want to help them channel that passion for the community.
     
    If the nomination for a guru is accepted, their responsibility is to post as much good info as they can in order to help keep the community up-to-date with what's happening in their corner of the tech world. They'll also be available (along with the rest of the forum) to offer some help if someone needs assistance. If they love video creation, they'll post any great video creation tools, articles, or links that they come across. If they're an expert in one of the busier forums, like OSx86, their job will be to help sort information, make an FAQ, etc.
     
    This will easily be the most prestigious position on our forum and one that will help the community a great deal (it also comes with some nice forum perks, like an unlimited PM box, etc). It's an honor that we won't give lightly. We'd like you to nominate those InsanelyMac-ers who have helped you along the way and who help keep things interesting.
     
    As an example, let me introduce our first guru, lambsporriegetta. Since the beginning of March, lambsporriegetta has been updating a list in the Audio forum of the latest Universal audio plugins. He's also been quite helpful in other forums and has continued posting new and interesting material for months. He's one of those guys that I know by name and has earned my respect (the audio forum was his idea!). It's because he's shown a real interest in making InsanelyMac the best it can be that we confer our first title to him.
     
    But there are many more out there who are just as deserving. We want to know who they are. PM me with your nominations and the staff will review them. If they're accepted, you'll know you've chosen wisely.
     
    Thanks for joining us as we work to make InsanelyMac the greatest forum of its kind.
  • Swad
    So earlier this year we decided that it simply wasn't acceptable for Apple to be releasing all these new (bitchin') portables with so many technical issues. Anecdotally, almost everyone I've met in real life and on this site (which, of course, is real life too) has had some issue with their new MB or MBP, whether it be whining, mooing, excessive heat, discoloration, etc.
     
    So when we had our "End the Whine" day, we said all we wanted to do was raise awareness of the issue. We'd call Apple to let them know we thought it was poor taste... but more importantly we wanted the Mac community to know that this was a big deal. And we were successful - folks from all over the Mac web rallied to our cause.
     
    Today those efforts proved successful with a one-sentence notice on their website. I present to you Apple Knowledge Base Article 303365:


    If your 15-inch MacBook Pro emits a high-pitched buzzing sound, please contact AppleCare for service. There are a few very interesting points about this KB article.
     
    First, notice that it just covers the 15-inch model, despite the fact that other models exhibit the same problems.
     
    Second, check out the date at the bottom of the page. It seems the problem was noticed as early as February 24, 2006 but wasn't made public until July 21, 2006. That means that Apple was aware of the issue as the first units were being shipped back in February... but didn't take the time to either 1) let the public know about it by making the KB article live or 2) working to fix the problem!
     
    We held our "End the Whine" day at the end of May, almost 3 months after this KB article was "created." Yet the vast majority of our calls to Apple were answered with a "that's within spec" response, essentially telling us that there wasn't a problem. A few people had their units replaced.
     
    So what does all this mean? It means that if I ever believed that Apple produced higher quality hardware than other companies in the past, that belief if quickly fading. I've heard many stories about the abuse the old iBooks would take and still work. These days, a worn-in iBook is probably in better shape than an MBP out of the box.
     
    That's a shame, Apple. Fix these problems so that OS X fans actually want to buy your hardware... not force themselves to.
     
    [Digg it!]
  • Swad

    Merom MacBook Pro in August

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    This might just be wishful thinking, but Jason O'Grady seems to think that Merom will find its way into a MacBook Pro by the end of August. The rest of the article doesn't seem that far fetched, but what do you think?


    Merom is "a mobility-optimized, dual-core processor based on the new, state of the art, Intel Core microarchitecture" according to the company.
     
    Merom comes with a 667 MHz frontside bus and 4 MB of L2 cache, double the 2 MB found in current MacBook Pros. Intel is offering Merom in 2.0, 2.16 and 2.33GHz clock speeds, a perfect fit to drop into the MacBook Pro lineup.
     
    A source I spoke with mentioned that Apple already has Merom chips in hand and has been testing them for a while. They're probably waiting for inventory of existing MacBook Pros to sell down and/or for the official announcement to come from Intel.
     
    Apple will most likely announce new Intel-based Mac Pro desktops at WWDC on 07 August. There is even a possibility that Apple will announce refreshed Xserves based on Intel's new server chip (code named Woodcrest) at WWDC, but that is unconfirmed. Apple will probably roll out the new Merom MacBook Pros some time in late August.
    One of the big questions, in my mind, is whether Apple will offer Merom in both the MacBook and Pro models, or just for Pro. I'm really getting impatient waiting to order mine...
  • Swad

    Merom, Conroe Shipping

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    In the wake of a gloomy earnings forecast, Intel Corp. this week said it has commenced shipments of both Conroe and Merom, its new Core 2 Duo dual-core microprocessors for desktop and notebook systems.
     
    During its earnings report on Wednesday, the world's largest chip maker said it quietly pushed the first shipments of its Core 2 Duo desktop processor out the door last quarter, ahead of its formal launch on July 27.
     
    "The mobile PC version of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor is also shipping now, one month ahead of schedule," the company wrote in a set of presentation slides.
     
    Indeed, a report from overseas this week had suggested that Intel would advance the releases of Merom to coincide with Conroe in late July. Intel has scheduled the official launch for both chips for next Thursday.
     
    Intel hopes the new lines of dual- and quad-core chips will help stem market share gains by AMD and aid its bleeding shares, which have lost about a third of their value in the last 12 months.
     
    Apple Computer, which recently switched its Mac line to Intel chips, is likely to adopt Conroe and Merom Core 2 Duo processors in future revisions of its desktop and notebook computers.
     
    Apple's MacBook Pro notebooks currently employ Intel's Yonah Core Duo processors. Since Merom was designed to be backwards compatible with Yonah platforms, Apple's first move could come in the form of an abrupt boost to its professional laptop line.
    AppleInsider
     
    What are your bets for the ETNM (Estimated Time to New Mac)?
  • Swad

    First batch of Leopard rumors

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    Last year's WWDC changed the world. Well, ok, maybe just the computing world. It certainly led to the creation of this site, faster Macs, universal apps, and bright future for Macs (not to mention almost full Windows compatibility).
     
    While this year's WWDC is not likely to be as exciting, it still promises a lot of fun. Mac OS Rumors has what I believe are some of the first real “insider info” rumor reports... that is if you can find it among the sea of advertisements (Thank you, Adblock Filterset.G).
     
    The highlights:
     
    Faster is better. Leopard is reported to fly on Intel processors due to heavy improvements in compiling for Intel. This was something most of us were expecting, but it’ll be a welcome improvement.
     
    Better widgets. The article wasn’t terribly clear on this point, and while it doesn’t sound that exciting, apparently widgets will find better integration with the system.
     
    Unified theme. We knew this was coming – Mail.app look throughout.
     
    Re-introduction of Quartz 2D Extreme. Oh! I had been looking for that... ???

    Did we mention teh snappy? “We're talking about 100%+ performance boosts in many benchmarks that are dependent on compiler optimization, GPU acceleration, efficient use of multiple CPUs and high-bandwidth motherboards, etc.....and 40, 50, 70, 80% boosts in many others.”
     
    Should be interesting to see how these pan out.
  • cavemonkey50
    With all the problems that MacBook owners have been reporting, I thought it would be a good idea to give you the complete scoop on my new MacBook. Since I've had my MacBook for about two weeks, I think I can finally say that I've given my MacBook enough time to show any trouble spots. For the most part I've been fairly lucky. Since I went to an Apple store the day after they received a new shipment (I called ahead of time to make sure), I received the latest build at the time (week 24), thus receiving the latest fixes for the numerous problems which have arisen.
     
    Black and Blue MacBooks
     
    One of the biggest issues which MacBook owners have reported are the heat issues. While my MacBook certainly does get hot, in my opinion it's nothing out of the ordinary. My MacBook will idle around 55C and get up to 80C depending on how much processor power I require at the time. While the temperatures certainly are a little toasty, it hasn't stopped me from using my MacBook on my lap in shorts. Sure, the first day I used it I thought it was a little uncomfortable, but since then I've either gotten used to the heat, or the first day damaged my skin cells so I can no longer feel pain. Either way, it works out in the end for me.
     
    One of the other major problems with the MacBook in white has been discoloration. Derek Punsalan has been raising awareness of the issue ever since it happened to him. In his unfortunate case, he went out of his way to cover up his MacBook to prevent discoloration, and was only rewarded with an ugly yellow finish. Due to his campaign against discoloration and the hundreds of bloggers who supported him, I can say that I don't have the issue at all. Since Apple was made aware of the issue, they have changed the plastic to a much smoother material; one which doesn't change with time. Since I have a later MacBook build, I have been lucky to get the new plastic and avoid the issue completely. For the unlucky MacBook owners with an ugly top case, Apple is replacing the affected portion with no questions asked, so be sure to get that done.
     
    Out of the other well known issues, I have experienced none of them. I have yet to hear the mooing of a cow coming from the back of my MacBook, so I'm safe on that front. As far as AirPort reception goes, it couldn't be better for me. I've taken my MacBook to previously thought WiFi dead zone in my house, and have been surfing with ease. I've also avoided power adapter humming and the ever so popular melted MagSafe. So, on the well known fronts, I've been good so far.
     
    Other Concerns
     
    I'd wish that I could say I haven't had any issues at all, but I can't do that - I have experienced some very minor issues which aren't that well known. One of the first is crappy sleep times. While most of Apple's laptop fleet can stay days in sleep while only loosing a few percentage points, my MacBook looses about 10% of its battery every eight hours. While it's nothing that will greatly affect my battery life, since I'll either be plugged in or shut off, it's a minor inconvenience. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do, as I've been told by the people over at Broadband Reports that the extra 2GB of RAM installed is drawing more power than normal. Oh well.
     
    Another minor issue which I have experienced has been insanely long Lead-Out times when burning a DVD. When burning a 2-3 minute DVD, my Lead-Out step can take as long as 6-10 minutes. That's roughly 4x longer than it takes to burn the DVD. Luckily I've gotten some help from the Apple support forums and so far my burning times have been normal. If for some reason the problem reoccurs, it's nothing I'm going to worry about since I don't burn DVDs that often.
     
    In the "that affects every manufacture" category, my screen developed a stuck pixel about a week ago. Within minutes of noticing it I was able to successfully rub it out, only for it to reappear later that night. After seeing it a second time, I rubbed it out again, this time while playing one of the stuck pixel videos. Since then I haven't seen it again, but if it decides to come back I feel confident that I'll be able to take it down once again.
     
    In the "that's freaking weird" category, I've on occasion smelled some sort of burning chemical coming the MacBook. I initially thought it was just the MacBook's "new car smell," but since I don't smell it all the time, and I still smell it two weeks after my purchase, I have a feeling that it's not normal. Apparently a few other people have noticed this problem, claiming it irritates their nose and throat. It hasn't irritated me at all; in fact, I think it smells quite good. Maybe I'm just a druggie at heart.
     
    All in all, my MacBook has been wonderful. I've avoided all the well known major and minor issues, but have experience a few issues of my own. Luckily none of my issues have dramatically affected my MacBook, so it's nothing which makes me doubt the MacBook and Apple's quality control. If I can never find a solution to my problems, I will still love my MacBook for years to come.
     
    So, if you've been reading all the issues about the MacBook Pro and the MacBook, and are thinking to yourself that every unit is broken, think again. Apple has at least one customer with a working MacBook with no complaints to file. I just think what we've been reading about these laptops is only the opinion of a small minority, much like Microsoft's issues with its 360. Sure, a few people have units which are complete {censored}, but the majority of people's MacBooks are working perfectly fine, giving them no reason to tell anyone about it.
  • Swad
    One of the features that most people have been expecting in Leopard is virtualization, allowing folks to run Windows right alongside OS X without the need to dual boot. Not that we've had any real rumors confirming this fact - I'm fairly sure it's one of those "we've talked about it so much that it'll probably happen" kind of rumors that are so familiar in Macdom.
     
    Well, Phil Schiller just rained on our parade. Maybe.
     
    An interview with a some guy (I'd give you the name, but you'd forget it... like I did) who talked with a roommate's wife's therapist's sister Phil at an Apple store had this to report:
     
    “I had a talk with Phil Schiller at the opening of the 5th Avenue Apple Store, and I asked him the question, ‘will Apple include a virtualization solution in [the next version of Mac OS X] Leopard.’ He said ‘absolutely not, the R&D would be prohibitive and we’re not going to do it. Our solution is dual boot.’ When I saw Parallels come out, I thought Apple would dis it, but this page suggests that Apple will actively support it.”
     
    Ok, first of all, any high paid analyst shouldn't be using the word "dis" in an interview. 'les he be bitchin' like Stevie and them MBPs. Fo shizzle.
     
    So, is Boot Camp a good enough solution or should Apple do more?
  • Swad

    Magnetic RAM a reality

    By Swad, in OSx86,

    With the increasing use of flash memory in everyday devices, it seems like the days of the venerable hard drive may be coming quickly to a close. This is especially true with Freescale's (remember them?) announcement of commercial availablity (read: real world) of "magnetoresistive random-access memory" or MRAM.


    Sometimes referred to as "universal" memory, MRAM could displace a number of chips found in every electronic device, from PCs, cell phones, music players and cameras to the computing components of kitchen appliances, cars and airplanes.
     
    "This is the most significant memory introduction in this decade," said Will Strauss, an analyst with research firm Forward Concepts. "This is radically new technology. People have been dabbling in this for years, but nobody has been able to make it in volume."
     
    Electronic memory is ubiquitous in today's world, but each flavor of memory-chip technology has different strengths and weaknesses. Often times, a single device has multiple types of memory chips to take advantage of the benefits of a particular technology.
     
    Static and dynamic random access memory chips, used in PCs and elsewhere, are fast but lose data when the power is switched off. Flash memory chips, which are commonly found in music players, cameras and cell phones, retain information but are slower and degrade over time.

    Anyone else excited to see this in a MacBook with an 8 hour battery life?
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